Group 1 jockey Michael Dee snares Warmonger ride for Makybe Diva, Caulfield Cup

Caulfield Cup winner Michael Dee has secured the ride on exciting stayer Warmonger, set to resume on Saturday in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Warmonger demolished rivals in the Group 1 Queensland Derby last campaign. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography

Caulfield Cup winner Michael Dee has secured the ride on exciting stayer Warmonger which is set to resume on Saturday in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

Warmonger is expected to get 53kg or 53.kg in the Caulfield Cup, too light for champion jockey Blake Shinn to maintain the association with the dominant Queensland Derby winner.

WARMONGER ABSOLUTELY CRUSHES THEM IN THE @ladbrokescomau QLD DERBY! 🤯@blake_shinn and @MickPriceRacing take a bow! #QLDisRacingpic.twitter.com/lc35KQ26AL

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) June 1, 2024

Dee became available for a Cups mount last month after his New Zealand contender Mark Twain was ruled out for the spring with a tendon injury.

Dee won the 2022 Caulfield Cup on Durston.

The 28-year-old, highly regarded by trainers and peers, trialled Warmonger last Tuesday at Cranbourne for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

Warmonger travelled sweetly in the 1200m heat and made up late ground, under his own steam, to run fourth and finish on the heels of Interpretation and Shaiyhar.

Frontrunner Keats led and was never headed in the trial.

“Keats led them a merry dance in the trial, a lot more pace on which was good, it gave him the pipe opener we were after and he’ll front up in the Makybe Diva with Mick Dee on board,” Kent Jr said.

Warmonger is $15 in TAB’s pre-nominations market for the Makybe Diva, a 1600m weight-for-age event, behind Via Sistina ($2.30), Mr Brightside ($4.50), Pinstriped ($8), Pride Of Jenni ($8), Another Wil ($11) and Antino ($11).

Price and Kent Jr won the 2022 Makybe Diva Stakes with the late I’m Thunderstruck.

Price first won the race in 2006 with Pompeii Ruler.

Warmonger, who won the Queensland Derby by 10-1/2 lengths, is $13 equal second favourite for the Caulfield Cup, alongside the Victoria and Australian Derby victor Riff Rocket.

Fawkner Park is a $9 favourite for the spring major at Caulfield on October 19.

Price and Kent Jr boast strong nominations for Saturday’s meeting at Flemington, including crack colts First Settler and Reserve Bank in the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m).

First Settler could be held over for a second trial instead and target the Group 2 Danehill Stakes next month at Headquarters.

Dee is on standby for First Settler, while Luke Currie was booked to ride Reserve Bank.

“They’re two colts we’d love to head towards the deep end of the spring within the sprinting ranks,” Kent Jr said.

“The Poseidon will be a good race, it’s positioned in the calendar where there’s going to be a lot of colts with a similar idea to us.

“Growing Empire also goes there, it’s going to be a nice race.”

Meanwhile, Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun is also set to resume in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.